Morphing

Trying to produce a wraparound pan of an object is difficult with a video camera. Shaking is always a problem. Without a steady cam to smooth out the vibration created by the cameras movement it is difficult to produce acceptable results. Instead morphing software was used to simulate the movement. Commercially available and in many cases shareware this approach makes generating a panning motion easier. Though not entirely satisfactory it is an easy method for simulating motion.

The Preflight

The preflight is part of a pilot's preparation before every flight. But sometimes a single set of eyes is not enough. It is always helpful to have a second or even a third set of eyes looking for potential problems on the aircraft. Digital cloning allows this pilot to put 3 sets of eyes on the aircraft before takeoff.

Multi-image Panorama of Air Creation's Tanarg

An experiment with a number of photographs from the Photosynth of Air Creation's Tanarg created previously.  A sample of images were stitched together using Microsofts Ice composite image editor that is used for creating large panorama images.  The Tanarg was stationary and was photographed around in a semi-circle and then the program was allowed to stitch together the images.  The program correctly stitched together the background while leaving the replicated angled views of the aircraft.  It makes an unusual method of aircraft presentation and an inflight panorama would look cool.

The One Percent, it Worked

Well, back at it and this time we were successful. Another afternoon taking pictures, better conditions and a different location.



Click to enlarge

If you want a copy head over the the Flickr site and download the image, it is under a Creative Commons license, meaning you are free to use the image for noncommercial purposes just give credit or better yet a link. Click on the slide show under "steal these weight shift aerial pictures" in the side bar to get over to Flickr.

1920's Style Aviation with 21st Century Technology

This is what it is all about. Wind in your face open cockpit aviation.

Hard Work Does Pay Off… eventually….I think….maybe. Weight Shift Aircraft in The Art Race

We’ve done our share of television and filming here and one thing is consistent, directors want to kill pilots…. They don’t have an understanding of aviation or what is safe in an aircraft. They politely ask over and over “can you do this please” meaning fly straight at that cliff through the rotors then at the last moment pull up and climb at over 2000’ minute and clear the top of the cliff by 2 feet. Of course what they think will look cool and what really looks cool are 2 different things. It was with that in mind that one day a fellow came into the hanger where I was working, he introduced himself as Ben Sargent an artist from New York. Behind him several others were approaching, one Clare Bradbury turned out to be the producer and with her were a sound and camera guy. Ben was part of the Art Race being filmed by Illuminations media out of the UK. He wanted to know if I was willing to trade a flight carrying him on his eastward trek for some artwork? I replied that I was pretty sure we could work something out. So I asked “is the show sold?” and Clare relied yes it was sold to the VROOM cable network and would appear on their channel Gallery HD. Great, so down to business. Their idea was that I would fly Ben to some point east helping him cross the country and he would create some artwork in trade. They wanted to show up on the day of the flight and film and follow us east. Well, mixing filming and the actual flight was not a good idea. To many variables and things that can go wrong so I said no it would be better if all the filming was done on one day, then the day of the flight they just drop Ben off and I ferry him to Columbus 90 miles east. I explained that we needed at least 1 introductory lesson to familiarize him with weight shift control aircraft. In return I would strap on a wing mount camera and collect some footage they could include. They agreed, first hurdle past.

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